A Short Biography of Alistair Harley and details of the Area of England I live
I have been into bikes for the last 40 years, first jumping onto a 98cc New Hudson Autocycle and then a BSA Bantam, 350 AJS single, 175 CZ and a Honda moped.
It was many years until I could afford a Harley, an FXR, which was the most expensive bike I have ever had and the best one too. I have also owned a HD V Rod and designed the silver custom bike on the home page.
I started my working life as a Petrol pump attendant, cemetary worker, road sweeper and Draughtsman, making a career change to Psychiatric Nursing and moving to management and latterly helping in the design of a major General Hospital.
I moved into a business dear to my lifelong passion. I was never content with just selling, designing and manufacturing parts and like to think I have learnt much that I can also pass onto others.
I started by writing information as a resource for those who were designing and building their own custom bike. I have supplied pictures and writing to motorcycle magazines and would like to think I have a sufficient breadth of knowledge on this subject as well as experience in designing website content and brochures.
My philosophy of designing and building custom bikes is that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication and that symmetry and parallelism is the practical expression that seems to be common themes of custom motorcycles the world over.
I live in one of the most beautiful parts of England. The area has been lived in since Roman times and was the centre of iron and gunpowder manufacture for many centuries.
The local church dates back to the 13th century. Bodiam Castle is one of two nearby castles. It was begun in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge and its purpose was part fortress and part country house as his main residence was 50 miles to the west. There is a moat and various pools and the setting was elaborately landscaped. Tourists world-wide visit it in large numbers.
The town of Battle is only 4 miles distant and is the historic site of the battle of Hastings in 1066 when the Duke of Normandy defeated the Saxon King Harold. A large abbey was built to commemorate the battle and still stands today.
The English channel is only 5 miles south and the channel tunnel at Folkstone is only one hour drive away.
I was born in North London and grew up in Winchmore Hill in Southgate and have been a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC since the late 1950s. I have also lived in Edinburgh and Dorchester.